What not to miss at 2024's Bristol Harbour Festival

Bristol Harbour Festival is one of the highlights of the city's summer calendar

Bristol Harbour Festival returns on Friday, bringing music, performance and water activities to the city centre.

One of the UK's biggest free festivals, about 250,000 people visit each year to take in Bristol's rich maritime, musical and cultural heritage.

This year, the festival has some "exciting" new additions, including "give-it-a-go" water sports and a stage for spoken word and talks.

Artist director Noemi Antonelli talks us through some of her must-see highlights for 2024.

Noemi Antonelli has helped to programme this year's event

The headliners

Of course, no festival is complete without its main stage and headliners.

The Harbour View stage, in Lloyds Amphitheatre, with a beautiful view of the water, has been programmed in collaboration with Greenpeace and Global Local.

"They've helped us bring aboard some of the best artists to the main stage," said Ms Antonelli.

She is particularly looking forward to all-female 10-piece brass band, She's Got Brass, on Friday night, which she said is "very exciting".

She also highlighted Bristol's Eva Lazarus and Grove performing on Saturday night, as well as a "two-hour theatrical sea shanty piece" in the morning.

Sunday sees "singer songwriter phenomenon" Gabriel Templar take to the stage with Bristol legends Laid Blak headlining.

"Over 80% of the line up is Bristol-based," explained Ms Antonelli.

"We're showcasing Bristol talent and we're bringing international artists and grassroots artists in the same space, which is exciting," she added.

James Prestwood will be performing flyboarding tricks, reaching heights of up to 60ft [18.2m] in the air

Have a paddle

The festival is focused around the water and crowds can expect attractions including flyboard displays, a water cannon showcase by the Pyronaut, Bristol’s former fire-boat and a cardboard boat race.

But one "extremely fun" addition to this year's programme is dragon boat racing, explained the artistic director.

On Saturday, Bristol Empire Dragons will run several training drills and local people and businesses will be giving it a go.

They will then end their demonstrations with a race.

Free performances take places all over the city centre

A new stage to 'inspire'

Also new for 2024 is the Expression stage in Millennium Square.

Ms Antonelli explained it would host an array of talks during the day, with jazz and blues in the evening on Saturday and spoken word on Sunday evening.

"We want to inspire, capture and ignite people's imagination," she said.

"It's a space to discuss and relax a bit more from the hustle and bustle of the water and the main stages."

Businesses around the harbour have programmed their own events as part of the festival

A more official 'fringe'

"This year we're introducing a new fringe festival," said Ms Antonelli.

Local businesses, cafes and bars are "part of the festival beyond the festival ground" with live music, performances, film screenings, after parties and even a gin-tasting - all programmed by the venues themselves.

"We wanted to give more opportunity for businesses to get involved," explained Ms Antonelli.

She said it was "important to curate the festival with them in mind" because "they had a desire to be part of a festival", rather than just "being there" while is it going on.

There is fun for all ages on College Green

Family fun

A truly family-friendly event, the festival's family playground on College Green once again welcome's Cirque Bijou with their "tricks, trapeze, flips, performances", said Ms Antonelli.

But on top of that, "we've given it a different twist", she said.

There will be plenty of "hands-on workshops and a mini big top", plus wildlife trails and even a "disco foam party".

People can relax and watch dance troupes in Queen's Square or even give it a go themselves

Dance is back!

After a few years without a dedicated dance area, "We're bringing dance back to Queen's Square", said the artistic director.

There will be performances from "a lot of different, diverse dance troupes from around the city", she said, adding that festival-goers can get involved.

"Bring your dancing shoes, for sure."

Thekla turned 40 in April

Thekla's Ruby anniversary

And finally, Ms Antonelli said she had to highlight Thekla's 40th Anniversary.

The iconic music venue on a ship is a prominent landmark on the city's harbour and has been celebrating its milestone birthday.

The venue has programmed a series of events especially for the festival, including a silent disco on its top deck and a special DJ set from Bristol comedian and actor Jayde Adams.

Bristol Harbour Festival runs from 19-21 July.